Weekly Devo

John 17:17 say’s “Your word is truth.” This is an extremely powerful statement. Along with the fact that sanctification comes by truth.  Many people struggle to find truth and “reality.” Few people search for sanctification.  The truth can set us free. (John 8:32) If we love the truth we can have salvation. (2 Thess. 2:9-13).  The truth is also able to shield us. (Psalm 91:4c) All men seek freedom, salvation, and protection. God’s word is where it is found.   Why would we seek for it anywhere else?

God cannot lie. (Titus 1:2) Satan is the father of lies. (John 8:44)  Which of these two categories describe us? God tells us to not bear false witness against our neighbor. (Ex. 20:16) God commands us to gird our waist with the truth. (Eph. 6:14a) We are to purchase truth and not sell it. (Prov. 23:23a)  God’s intention for us is to live in the truth. If we abide in the truth we are God’s. If we live in lies we belong to Satan. Who do you belong to?

Peace and harmony is not at any price. The world today preaches and teaches such nonsense. Peace at any cost means we all must sacrifice and have no stance on anything. This is not possible. Not to mention the logical concept to this is that someone must be the bully. Someone, who is not truly seeking peace, demands you to be at peace with them. God teaches us that by our very faithful existence we will cause strife. (Matt. 10:34-39) We are commanded to reject those that dismiss peace. We are to warn them and exhort them to change. If they choose not to, then we must reject them. (Titus 3:9-11) None of the Biblical teachings give us even the inclination that God wants us to seek peace at all cost.                              

As people of peace we should be committed to it. Look at Abraham. He showed his commitment through compromise. (Gen. 13:5-12) We need to go as far as we can to maintain peace.  We must go as far as is necessary, without sacrificing righteousness, to keep peace. (Matt. 5:39-40) We cause our own strife. It comes from our own desires for pleasure. This draws out all kinds of discord.  We should be committed enough to peace to draw near to God to cleanse our hands and hearts. (James 4:1-8)   We must be willing to make sacrifices for peace. (1 Cor. 6:7; Rm. 14:13) We must be willing to be wrong for peace. We must be willing to be cheated for peace. We must be willing to be the weaker brother. We need to do this less we put a stumbling block in our brother’s way. We do not want our brethren to fall because of our inability to maintain peace. 

We serve the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) Not only do we serve Him, but we are clothed by Him. We are to be just like Him. As children of God and co-heirs to the promise that would mean we are to be princes of peace as well. Peacemakers, as we are, wear the title sons of God. (Matt. 5:9) This is all possible because of God. Peace only comes from God. (2 Thess. 3:16)  We were bought and paid for by the Prince of Peace. The Prince of Peace is our head and we are His body. Therefore, peace should come to us easily.  All of this is as God planned. We come to be able to enjoy such a wonderful life by our faith. By faith through our Lord Jesus Christ we receive peace. (Rom. 5:1)